U.S. patent number 5,109,655 [Application Number 07/654,254] was granted by the patent office on 1992-05-05 for articulating rotary mower.
Invention is credited to Daniel R. Tekulve.
United States Patent |
5,109,655 |
Tekulve |
May 5, 1992 |
Articulating rotary mower
Abstract
A gang mower assembly comprising a rigid frame elongated in the
direction of forward movement of the assembly, the frame including
a forward end portion, a central portion, and a trailing end
portion. A central rotary mower deck is disposed adjacent the
central portion and a universal joint for connecting the central
deck to the central portion for at least limited universal movement
relative to the frame about axes generally parallel to the frame
and generally perpendicular to the frame is provided. The assembly
further comprises at least one outboard rotary mower deck and at
least one inboard rotary mower deck, and ground-engaging wheels for
individually supporting each deck for independent movement relative
to the frame. Each of the decks comprises a rotary blade assembly
defining a centrally located, upwardly extending rotary axis and
pulleys mounted on the axis to provide an input drive for the blade
assembly. Means for positioning each deck relative to its adjacent
deck is provided, each positioning means comprising a rigid link
having first and second opposite link ends, means for attaching the
first link end to one of the decks and means for movably attaching
the second link end to an adjacent deck for at least limited swivel
movement. A belt drive system for providing a driving connection
from a driver to the deck pulleys is provided to drive the rotary
blade assembly of each mower deck.
Inventors: |
Tekulve; Daniel R. (Batesville,
IN) |
Family
ID: |
24624104 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/654,254 |
Filed: |
February 12, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
56/6; 56/13.6;
56/DIG.10 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01D
75/30 (20130101); Y10S 56/10 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01D
75/00 (20060101); A01D 75/30 (20060101); A01D
075/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;56/6,7,13.6,192,DIG.10 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bagnell; David J.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Barnes & Thornburg
Claims
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A gang mower assembly comprising rigid frame means elongated in
the direction of forward movement of the mower assembly, said frame
means including a forward end portion, a central portion, and a
trailing end portion, a driver, a central rotary mower deck
disposed adjacent said central portion, universal joint means for
connecting said central deck to said central portion for at least
limited universal movement relative to said frame means about axes
generally parallel to said frame means and generally perpendicular
to said frame means, at least one outboard rotary mower deck and at
least one inboard rotary mower deck, ground-engaging wheel means
for individually supporting each of said central, outboard and
inboard decks for independent movement relative to each other and
relative to said frame means, each of said decks comprising a
rotary blade assembly defining a centrally located, upwardly
extending rotary axis and pulley means mounted on said axis to
provide an input drive for said blade assembly, means for
positioning each deck relative to its adjacent deck, each said
positioning means comprising rigid link means having first and
second opposite link ends, means for attaching said first link end
to one of said decks and means for movably attaching said second
link end to an adjacent deck for at least limited swivel movement,
and belt drive means for providing a driving connection from said
driver to said pulley means, thereby to drive said rotary blade
assembly of each mower deck.
2. The mower assembly of claim 1 further comprising a first arm
link means for providing a positioning and driving connection
between said forward end portion of said frame means and one of the
outermost outboard decks and a second arm link means for providing
a positioning and driving connection between said trailing end
portion of said frame means and one of the innermost inboard decks,
each said arm link means having a proximal end adjacent said frame
means and a distal end adjacent one of said decks, means for
connecting each arm link means for pivotal movement at its proximal
end about an axis generally parallel to said frame means and means
for connecting each arm link means for pivotal movement at its
distal end to its associated mower deck about an axis generally
parallel to said frame means.
3. The mower assembly of claim 1 in which said belt drive means
comprises a main drive pulley on said driver, a main drive belt
trained about said main drive pulley and said pulley means on said
central mower deck, and transfer belt means for driving each said
at least one inboard and each said at least one outboard mower
decks from said pulley means on said central deck.
4. The mower assembly of claim 1 in which the upwardly extending
axes of said rotary blade assemblies are disposed generally in an
upwardly-extending reference plane positioned at an angle relative
to said frame means and said mower decks are spaced apart along
said plane, each said mower deck having a size such that the rotary
cut it provides overlaps the cut of its adjacent mower deck upon
forward movement of said frame means, and each said rigid link
means of said positioning means extending generally in said
reference plane between adjacent mower decks.
5. The mower assembly of claim 4 in which said belt drive means
comprises a main drive pulley on said driver, a main drive belt
trained about said main drive pulley and said pulley means on said
central mower deck, and transfer belt means for driving each said
at least one inboard and each said at least one outboard mower
decks from said pulley means on said central deck.
6. The mower assembly of claim 5 including a plurality of said
outboard mower decks and a plurality of said inboard mower decks,
and said mower assembly further comprising a first arm link means
for providing a positioning and driving connection between said
forward end portion of said frame means and one of the outermost
outboard decks and a second arm link means for providing a
positioning and driving connection between said trailing end
portion of said frame means and one of the innermost inboard decks,
each said arm link means having a proximal end adjacent said frame
means and a distal end adjacent one of said decks, means for
connecting each arm link means for pivotal movement at its proximal
end about an axis generally parallel to said frame means and means
for connecting each arm link means for pivotal movement at its
distal end to its associated mower deck about an axis generally
parallel to said frame means.
7. The mower assembly of claim 6 in which said transfer belt means
comprises a belt trained about said pulley means of adjacent mower
decks to have a set of parallel belt runs extending between
adjacent mower decks, one of said rigid link means being disposed
between each set of said belt runs.
8. The mower assembly of claim 7 in which each said rigid link
means comprises cooperating slide and guide end portions providing,
respectively, said first and second opposite link ends, and
adjustable belt take-up means for selectively positioning said end
portions to provide selected tension on adjacent and associated
belt runs.
9. The mower assembly of claim 8 in which said means for movably
attaching said second link end to an adjacent deck comprises a post
extending rigidly upwardly from said adjacent deck and a swivel
sleeve receiving said post, said sleeve being rigidly mounted on
said second link end, said swivel sleeve having an internal
diameter defined by an upwardly opening upper frustoconical portion
and a downwardly opening lower frustoconical portion, said upper
and lower frustoconical portions connecting together to provide a
common central opening sized slidably to receive said post and
provide a pivot about said post limited by said upper and lower
frustoconical portions.
10. The mower assembly of claim 9 in which said central opening is
generally aligned with the associated and adjacent belt runs and
the vertical centers of the pulley means about which the belt runs
are trained.
11. The mower assembly of claim 9 in which said ground-engaging
wheel means for each deck comprises a front wheel means and a rear
side wheel means, each having a ground contact pont, such that a
line drawn between said contact points will pass generally directly
under said post.
12. The mower assembly of claim 4 in which said ground-engaging
wheel means for each mower deck comprises a front wheel assembly
and a rear side wheel assembly, each wheel assembly comprising a
journal mounting bracket, a wheel journalled on said bracket for
rotation about a generally horizontal axis, and means for
connecting said journal mounting brackets to said mower deck for
pivotal movement about an upwardly extending axis generally
parallel to the upwardly extending axis of said rotary blade
assembly for said deck, said rear side wheel assembly vertical axis
being spaced relative to said rotary blade assembly axis by
generally the same angle as the angle between said reference plane
and a plane including said blade assembly axis and the
upwardly-extending axis for said front wheel means.
13. The mower assembly of claim 1 in which said ground-engaging
wheel means for each deck comprises a front wheel means and a rear
side wheel means, each having a ground contact point, such that a
line drawn between said contact points will pass generally directly
under said means for movably attaching said second link end to an
adjacent deck.
14. A gang mower assembly comprising a plurality of rotary mower
decks connected together as a gang mower with adjacent decks
staggered to provide overlapping cuts when the mower is moved in
the forward direction, each mower deck comprising a rotary blade
assembly defining a centrally located, upwardly extending rotary
axis and pulley means mounted on said axis to provide an input
drive for said blade assembly, means for positioning each mower
deck relative to its adjacent deck, each said positioning means
comprising rigid link means having first and second opposite link
ends, means for attaching said first link end to one of said decks
and means for movably attaching said second link end to an adjacent
deck for swivel movement, said rigid link means lying generally in
a straight line generally intersecting the rotary axes of said
mower decks such that said decks are spaced along said straight
line, and ground-engaging wheel means for individually supporting
each of said decks for independent terrain following movement.
15. The mower assembly of claim 14 in which each said rigid link
means comprises cooperating slide and guide end portions providing,
respectively, said opposite link ends, and adjustable means for
selectively positioning said end portions to position said opposite
link ends, and the mower decks to which they are attached.
16. The mower assembly of claim 15 comprising a power transfer belt
for each mower deck, each pulley means being drivingly connected to
the pulley means of the adjacent mower deck by its associated power
transfer belt, a driver having an output drive pulley, and a main
drive belt trained about said output drive pulley and one of said
mower deck pulley means to drive all of said rotary blade
assemblies from said output drive pulley and said one of said mower
deck pulley means.
17. The mower assembly of claim 15 comprising a driver having an
output drive pulley mounted for rotation about a generally upwardly
extending axis, a main drive belt trained about the drive pulley
and the pulley means of a central one of said mower decks, and a
transfer belt for providing a driving connection between each
pulley means and its adjacent pulley means, thereby to drive all
said rotary blade assemblies from said driver.
18. The mower of claim 17 in which said means for attaching said
second link end to an adjacent deck for swivel movement comprises a
post extending rigidly upwardly from said adjacent deck and a
swivel sleeve receiving said post, said sleeve being rigidly
mounted on said second link end, said swivel sleeve having an
internal diameter defined by an upwardly opening upper
frustoconical portion and a downwardly opening lower frustoconical
portion, said upper and lower frustoconical portions connecting
together to provide a common central opening sized slidably to
receive said post and provide a pivot about said post limited by
said upper and lower frustoconical portions.
19. The mower of claim 18 in which the centers of said central
openings in said swivel sleeves are disposed generally in said
straight line including the rotary axes of said mower decks and
said rigid link means.
20. The mower of claim 19 in which each transfer belt has parallel
runs on opposite sides of its associated rigid link means, said
belt runs being generally at the same height as said central
opening of said swivel sleeve disposed therein.
21. The mower of claim 20 in which each of said pulley means
provides a radially deep V-groove having a radially inner bottom
portion, each transfer belt riding in the radially inner bottom
portions of the associated V-grooves, said adjustable means for
selectively rigidly positioning said end portions serving as belt
tensioning means respectively for said belts.
22. The mower of claim 14 in which said ground-engaging wheel means
include a front wheel means and a rear wheel means for each deck
defining ground contact points, respectively, such that a line
drawn between said contact points will pass generally under said
means for movably attaching said second link end to an adjacent
deck.
23. A terrain-following gang mower assembly comprising a plurality
of rotary mower decks arranged in a generally straight line
inclined at an angle with respect to the forward direction of
movement of said assembly with said rotary decks being spaced apart
and sized to provide overlapping cuts as said assembly is moved
forwardly, said inclined straight line arrangement providing a
forwardmost mower deck and a rearwardmost mower deck, each of said
mower decks comprising a centrally located drive shaft defining an
upwardly extending axis and a rotary blade mounted on said shaft
under said deck for cutting action when said shaft is driven, said
shaft axes lying generally in said straight line, means for linking
each deck to its adjacent deck, said linking means being disposed
in said straight line, and frame means for moving said decks
forwardly, said frame means comprising a first arm link means for
providing a positioning and driving connection to the forwardmost
mower deck and a second arm link means for providing a positioning
and driving connection to the rearwardmost mower deck.
24. The mower assembly of claim 23 comprising universal joint means
for providing a positioning and driving connection between said
frame means and a centrally disposed one of said mower decks.
25. The mower assembly of claim 24 comprising a driver mounted on
said frame means, said driver having output pulley means, pulley
means mounted on each shaft, and belts trained about said pulley
means to drive said rotary blades, said belts including a drive
belt trained about and driving the pulley means on said centrally
disposed one of said mower decks, and transfer belts coupling the
last Said pulley means successively to the other pulley means.
26. The mower of claim 23 in which each said linking means provide
a swivel joint on each said deck, and including a front wheel means
and a right-rear wheel means for supporting each deck, each of said
wheel means having a ground contact point such that a line drawn
between said contact points will pass under said swivel joint.
27. A terrain-following gang mower assembly comprising a plurality
of rotary mower decks arranged in a generally straight line
inclined at an angle with respect to the forward direction of
movement of said assembly with said rotary decks being spaced apart
and sized to provide overlapping cuts as said assembly is moved
forwardly, said inclined straight line arrangement providing a
forwardmost mower deck and a rearwardmost mower deck, each of said
mower decks comprising a centrally located drive shaft defining an
upwardly extending axis and a rotary blade mounted on said shaft
under said deck for cutting action when said shaft is driven, said
shaft axes lying generally in said straight line, means for linking
each deck to its adjacent deck, said linking means being disposed
in said straight line, and ground-engaging wheel means for
independently supporting each mower deck on terrain, each said
wheel means comprising a wheel journal mounted for rotation about a
horizontal axis and a caster for said wheel journal mounted about
an upwardly-extending pivot axis on said deck, said wheel means for
each deck comprising a front wheel having its pivot axis disposed
generally in front alignment with said shaft axis for said deck and
a rear side wheel having its pivot axis disposed at an angle
generally equal and opposite to the angle of said straight
line.
28. The assembly of claim 27 in which each said linking means
provides at least a limited swivel connection between adjacent
decks.
29. The assembly of claim 28 in which a line drawn generally
between the ground points of contact for said front wheel and said
rear side wheel passes generally under said limited swivel
connection between adjacent decks.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to gang mower assemblies, and more
particularly to terrain-following gang mower assemblies comprising
a plurality of rotary mower decks supported on wheels and
articulated together to follow very rolling terrain, all of the
rotary mower decks being driven by a common V-belt drive system.
The present invention relates to the type of gang mower assembly
which can be pulled by a conventional tractor and driven from the
power take-off (PTO) unit conventionally provided on the tractor.
The assembly comprises a plurality of rotary mower decks arranged
in a generally straight line inclined at an angle with respect to
the forward direction of movement of the assembly with the rotary
decks being spaced apart along the line and sized to provide
overlapping cuts as the assembly is moved forwardly. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the mower
decks is provided with a rotary cutting blade which rotates about a
centrally-disposed, upwardly-extending axis. V-pulleys are mounted
on the mower decks and a common V-belt drive system is provided for
driving the blades, even when the mower decks articulate relative
to each other and the tractor to move over rather steep rolling
land or steep, but small hills and valleys, such as those commonly
found on a golf course rough. In this preferred system, a main
V-belt drives one of the mower decks and other V-belts drive the
other mower decks from the said one mower deck.
PRIOR ART
The prior art does not show a plurality of rotary mower decks
hooked together so that the separate mower decks will move
independently of each other with the deck blades driven by a common
V-belt drive system comprising a V-pulley on each deck and a master
drive pulley with V-belts interconnecting the various V-pulleys to
provide driving power for the cutter blades.
The prior art efforts have included, for instance, putting a
separate gasoline engine on each rotary mower deck so that the
decks can articulate relative to each other to follow the terrain.
Other efforts have included providing hydraulic motors on each
mower deck with a plurality of hydraulic hoses connecting each
hydraulic motor to a central hydraulic pump. In some instances,
mechanics have tried to couple a PTO drive on a tractor to a
plurality of mower decks by using a separately movable drive shaft
coupled to each deck.
Prior to the present invention, it has not been possible to
provide, for instance, five or even seven separate rotary mower
decks all connected together and connected by a common frame means
to a tractor which pulls the mower decks along uneven terrain and
provides V-belt driving power for driving the cutter blades. The
advantages of a V-belt driving system are many and well known. They
are low-cost and easy for mechanics to repair and replace. The
problem with the prior art is that it does not teach how to drive a
plurality of independently movable, terrain-following mower decks
using V-belts which will accommodate the deck articulation
required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention, therefore, is a gang mower assembly
comprising rigid frame means elongated in the direction of forward
movement of the mower assembly, the frame means including a forward
end portion, a central portion and a trailing end portion. A
driver, such as a transmission which can be driven by the power
take-off unit of a tractor, is provided and preferably mounted at
or adjacent the forward end portion of the rigid frame means. A
central rotary mower deck is disposed adjacent the central portion
of the frame means and universal joint means is provided for
connecting the central deck to the central portion of the frame
means for at least limited universal movement relative to the frame
means about an axis generally parallel to the frame means and an
axis generally perpendicular to the frame means. At least one
outboard rotary mower deck is disposed to the right of the central
deck and at least one inboard rotary mower deck is disposed to the
left of the central deck. Within the present invention, two or
three or even more outboard rotary mower decks may be provided
connected to the central deck and two or three or more inboard
rotary mower decks may be provided connected to the central deck.
In other words, the present invention may comprise, for instance,
five separate rotary mower decks or seven separate rotary mower
decks or, for that matter, any number of rotary decks which can be
practically hooked together in accordance with the present
invention.
Ground-engaging wheel means for individually supporting each of the
central, outboard and inboard decks for independent movement
relative to each other and relative to the frame means are
provided. Each of the decks comprises a rotary blade assembly
defining a centrally-located, upwardly-extending rotary axis and
pulley means mounted on the axis to provide an input drive for the
blade assembly. Means for positioning each deck relative to its
adjacent deck is provided, each of the positioning means preferably
comprising rigid link means having first and second opposite link
ends. Means for rigidly attaching the first link end to one of the
decks and means for movably attaching the second link end to an
adjacent deck for at least limited swivel movement are provided.
Then, with the connections between the frame means and the mower
decks so arranged, the present invention comprises belt drive means
for providing a driving connection from the driver to the pulley
means, thereby to drive the rotary blade assembly of each mower
deck.
The mower assembly may further comprise a first arm link means for
providing a positioning and driving connection between the forward
end portion of the frame means and one of the outermost outboard
decks and a second arm link means for providing a positioning and
driving connection between the trailing end portion of the frame
means and one of the innermost inboard decks. Each arm link means
has a proximal end adjacent the frame means and a distal end
adjacent the deck connected thereto, and means is provided for
connecting each arm link means for pivotal movement about its
proximal end about an axis generally parallel to the frame means
and further means is provided for connecting each arm link means
for pivotal movement about its distal end to its associated deck
about an axis generally parallel to the frame means. These arm link
means, consequently, move an outermost outboard deck and an
innermost inboard deck in the direction of movement of the frame
means.
The mower assembly, as indicated above, has the mower decks in a
straight line inclined at an angle relative to the main frame means
or the forward direction of travel. The upwardly extending axes of
the rotary blade assemblies are disposed generally in an upwardly
extending reference plane positioned at generally the same angle
relative to the frame means, and the mower decks are spaced apart
along that plane. Each mower deck has a size such that the rotary
cut it provides overlaps the cut of its adjacent mower deck upon
forward movement of the frame means. Each of the rigid link means
of the positioning means extends generally in the reference plane
between adjacent decks. The belt drive means comprises a belt
trained about the pulley means of adjacent mower decks to have a
set of parallel belt runs extending between adjacent mower decks,
one of the rigid link means being disposed between each set of belt
runs. Each rigid link means comprises cooperating slide and guide
end portions providing, respectively, the first and second opposite
link ends, and adjustable belt take-up means is provided for
selectively rigidly positioning the end portions to provide
selected tension on adjacent and associated belt runs.
The mower assembly is further arranged such that the means for
movably attaching the said second link end to an adjacent deck
comprises a post extending rigidly upwardly from the adjacent deck
and a swivel sleeve receiving the post. The swivel sleeve is
rigidly mounted on the second link end, and has an internal
diameter defined by an upwardly-opening upper frustoconical portion
and a downwardly opening frustoconical portion, the upper and lower
frustoconical portions connecting together to provide a common
central opening sized slidably to receive the post and to provide a
pivot about the post limited by the upper and lower frustoconical
portions. In the preferred embodiment, this central opening is
generally aligned with the associated and adjacent belt runs and
the vertical centers of the pulley means about which the belt runs
are trained. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the post
providing the swivel axis for the swivel sleeve is located
generally on a vertical axis extending generally upwardly from a
line extending between the ground points of contact of the front
wheel means and the right-rear wheel means. This permits movement
of the deck upon which the post is mounted to move generally about
the line between the said ground points of contact of the front
wheel means and right-rear wheel means within the limits permitted
by the swivel sleeve on said post.
The present invention, therefore, is a gang mower assembly
comprising a plurality of rotary mower decks connected together as
a gang mower with adjacent decks staggered to provide overlapping
cuts when the mower is moved in the forward direction. Each mower
deck comprises a rotary blade assembly defining a
centrally-located, upwardly-extending rotary axis and pulley means
mounted on the axis to provide an input drive for the blade
assembly. Means are provided for positioning each mower deck
relative to its adjacent deck, each positioning means comprising
rigid link means having first and second opposite link ends, and
means for rigidly attaching the first link end to one of the decks
and means for movably attaching the second link end to an adjacent
deck for swivel movement are provided. The rigid link means lie
generally in a straight line generally intersecting the rotary axes
of the mower decks and the decks are spaced along this straight
line. Ground-engaging wheel means for individually supporting each
of the decks for independent terrain following movement are
provided. A line drawn between the ground points of contact of the
front wheel means and the right-rear wheel means will generally
pass directly under the means for movably attaching the second link
end to an adjacent deck for swivel movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mower assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mower assembly of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the main frame of the mower of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a front end view of the main frame taken from the
right-hand side of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the mower assembly
decks on generally level terrain and also showing how the decks are
articulated together;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 5 except it
shows the mower decks on an uneven terrain;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary diagrammatical view showing in perspective
how the swivel link connection providing the articulation
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 works;
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the view along the
section line 8--8 in FIG. 6; and
FIG. 9 is a diagrammatical plan view showing seven rotary mower
decks assembled together in accordance with the present invention;
and
FIG. 10 is a diagrammatical plan view of one rotary deck and its
adjacent decks showing the relationship of the ground points of
contact for the front and right-rear wheel means relative to the
articulation connection between adjacent decks.
Referring now specifically to the drawings, it will be seen that
the mower assembly 10 of the present invention is illustrated in
perspective in FIG. 1 to show the main frame means 12 which may be
connected to a conventional tractor and pulled or moved generally
in the forward direction as indicated by the arrow 14 (FIGS. 1 and
2). The main frame means 12 comprises a forward end portion 16, a
central portion 18 and a trailing end portion 20. A conventional
tractor hitch 24 is rigidly welded or otherwise fastened to the
forward end portion 16, for instance, by the rigid brace member 26.
This tractor hitch 24 has laterally outwardly-extending trunnion
shafts 28 about which the frame means 12 will pivot upwardly as
indicated by the arrow 30 (FIG. 1) when the upper portion 32 of the
hitch is pulled forwardly in a conventional tractor hitch
arrangement. This means that the main frame means 12 can be lifted
upwardly to lift the mower assembly upwardly for transport.
The main frame means 12, shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 4,
includes brackets 36 and 38 extending outwardly to the right as
shown to support a trunnion 40 about which a first arm link means
42 is pivoted for movement. A stop 44 is provided for limiting the
downward movement of the arm link means 42 as best seen in FIG. 1.
The axis of the trunnion 40 is generally parallel to the direction
of elongation of the frame means 12. Similarly, a second arm link
means 46 is pivotally supported at the trailing end portion 20 of
the frame means 12 by depending brackets 48, 50 supporting a
trunnion 52 about which the link means pivots. A stop 54 is
provided to control the downward movement of the link means 46. As
best seen in FIG. 2, the frame means 12 with the
outwardly-extending arm link means 42, 46 will move forwardly and
the link means, which will serve a purpose to be discussed
hereinafter, will move forward with the frame means, but be capable
of pivotal movement about their respective axes parallel to the
frame means.
A driver 60 with an output pulley 62 is mounted on the forward end
portion 16 of the frame means 12, for instance, by the plates 64
and bolts 66. This driver 60 may preferably be a transmission
having an output shaft extending vertically downwardly and upon
which the pulley 62 is mounted. In a conventional fashion, the
shaft 72 from a conventional tractor power take-off is coupled to
the driver 60 to provide driving power for the V-pulley 62.
Universal joint means 76 is located in the central portion 18
region of the main frame to extend downwardly as best illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 3. The illustrative universal joint means 76
comprises downwardly-extending brackets 78 providing a trunnion
support 80 which extends forwardly in the direction of the arrow 14
and generally parallel to the main frame means 12. Mounted on this
trunnion support 80 is a yoke 82 having downwardly-extending side
brackets 84, also best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3.
A central rotary mower deck 90 is provided preferably beneath the
universal joint means 76 to be connected to the
downwardly-extending brackets 84. Outboard (to the right as viewed
in FIGS. 1 and 2) mower decks 92 and 94 are provided along with
inboard mower decks (to the left as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2) 96 and
98. The outermost outboard mower deck 94 is also the forwardmost
mower deck as best seen in FIG. 2 while the innermost inboard mower
deck 98 is also the rearwardmost deck as best seen in FIG. 2. The
central mower deck 90 is provided with upwardly-extending side
brackets 102 which are connected, respectively, to the
downwardly-extending side brackets 84 on the yoke 82 by means such
as the illustrated trunnions 104 to complete the universal joint
connection. This means that the central deck 90 is universally
movable, at least to a limited extent, about the axis of the
trunnion support 80 which is parallel to the main frame 12 and
about the axis of the trunnions 104 which is perpendicular to the
main frame 12. While the central deck 90 is permitted this at least
limited universal joint movement, it will be clear that the deck 90
will travel forwardly with the main frame 12 when the tractor moves
the main frame. The universal joint means 76 will permit the
central deck 90 to follow the terrain on which it is supported. The
arm link means 42 is connected to the deck 94 for pivotal movement
about a forwardly-extending axis as indicated at 108 and the arm
link means 46 is connected to the deck 98 for pivotal movement
about a forwardly-extending axis as indicated at 110. Because of
stops 44 and 54 for the arm link means 42, 46, respectively,
lifting the frame means 12 as indicated by the arrow 30 will lift
the decks 94 and 98.
Turning to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the rotary mower decks 90,
92, 94, 96, 98 are in a straight line indicated by the center line
116 which is inclined at an angle relative to the main frame means
12 and the directional arrow 14. As will be more fully described
hereinafter, this straight line 116, best seen in FIG. 2, will
intersect the centers of the mower decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 and the
drive shaft axes provided thereby. It will also be seen that, at
least when the mower assembly is on level terrain, the
upwardly-extending drive shaft axes for the mower decks will lie
generally in a common upwardly-extending plane including the line
116, which plane is inclined relative to the frame means 12.
Each mower deck 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 is supported on ground-engaging
wheel means 130 at the front and wheel means 132 at the rear,
right-hand quadrant as best seen in FIG. 2. (The innermost inboard
deck 98 may also be supported by ground-engaging wheel means 134 as
best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.)
Each such wheel means 130, 132 may preferably be connected to its
associated mower deck by rigid structural members 138, 140, 142
best seen, for instance, at the right-hand side of FIG. 1. These
structural members 138, 140, 142 may preferably be welded together
and welded to the deck to provide a rigid and outwardly-extending
support for a trunnion such as indicated at 144 for a yoke 146 for
a wheel 148. In FIGS. 1 and 2, the upwardly-extending axes of each
mower deck 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are indicated by the reference
numeral 152. The upwardly-extending trunnions 144 of the wheel
means 130, 132 are disposed relative to the axis 152 of the mower
deck as best seen in FIG. 2. Considering the outermost outboard
deck 94 at the right-hand portion of FIG. 2, it will be seen that a
line drawn from its axis 152 parallel to the frame means 12 will
pass through the center of the trunnion 144 of its front wheel
means 130, the line being indicated by the reference numeral 154.
Similarly, a center line 156 drawn between the axis 152 and the
center of the trunnion 144 for the rear wheel means 132 (FIG. 2)
will show an important angular relationship relative to the
straight line 116 discussed above. Essentially, the acute angle
between the line 154 and the line 116 is the same as the acute
angle between the line 154 and the line 156. This means that the
line 116 extends to the left and downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 at
the same angle that the line 156 extends downwardly and to the
right. In FIGS. 2 and 10 the ground points of contact for wheel
means 130 and 132 are indicated, respectively at 130a and 132a.
That is, a center point of ground contact (looking downwardly) for
each wheel means 130 and 132 is established by point 130a, 132a,
and a line 133 may be drawn generally between these points. (In
FIG. 2, for clarity, the line 133 and the points 130a and 132a are
shown only for deck 96.) The purpose of these reference lines will
become apparent as this description progresses.
The illustrative embodiment 10 shows the central deck 90 having
V-pulley means 158 comprising three vertically-stacked V-pulleys
160, 162 and 164 as best seen in FIG. 1 and in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each
of the mower decks 92, 94, 96, 98 is provided with V-pulley means,
each of which has an upper V-pulley 172 and a lower V-pulley 174 as
best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. A main drive belt 178 is trained about
the drive pulley 62 and the upper pulley 160 of the pulley means
158 on the central deck 90. Transfer belts 180 are then provided
for coupling the outboard and inboard mower decks to the pulley
means 158 of the central deck 90. Illustratively, the middle pulley
162 of the central deck 90 is drivingly connected to the upper
pulley 172 of the inboard deck 96 while its lower pulley 170 is
drivingly connected to the lower pulley 170 of the innermost
inboard deck 98. Similarly, the bottom or lower pulley 164 of the
pulley means 158 on the deck 90 is drivingly connected to the lower
pulley 174 of the outboard deck 92 while the upper pulley 172 is
drivingly connected by a belt 180 to the upper pulley 172 on the
outermost outboard deck 94. Thus, the inboard and outboard mower
decks are driven directly from the central deck V-pulley means 158
which, in turn, is driven by the drive pulley 62. This is the case
even though the decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are all permitted
independently to move relative to each other and relative to the
main frame means 12 which carries the drive pulley 62. The manner
in which this belt drive of articulating mower decks is
accomplished will become more apparent as this description
progresses.
As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, each mower deck 90, 92, 94, 96, 98
comprises a bearing assembly 190 journal supporting a shaft 192
upon which the pulley means are mounted and to which the blade 194
is mounted by a bolt 196. It will be appreciated that the mower
decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are to a great extent, conventional rotary
mower decks including a vertically-extending or at least
upwardly-extending shaft 192 which drives a blade 194 to cut grass
and discharge it from a discharge port 200. However, the mower
decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are configured to operate in the gang
mower assembly 10 of the present invention to provide optimum
results. For instance, the discharge ports 200 discharge outwardly
and slightly rearwardly as best seen in FIG. 2 to eliminate the
windrowing normally associated with gang mowers. Further, except
for the innermost inboard mower deck 98 which is supported on three
ground-engaging wheel means 130, 132, 134, each of the other mower
decks 90, 92, 94, 96 is supported at its left rearward quadrant by
rigid link means 206 which extend along the line 116 (FIG. 2).
These rigid link means 206 provide the articulated connection
between adjacent mower decks in accordance with the present
invention. Each rigid link means 206 comprises a first link end 208
and means for rigidly attaching it, such as by welding, to the
mower deck from which it extends and a second link end and means
212 for movably connecting it to the adjacent mower deck for at
least limited swivel movement. The illustrative and preferred
swivel means 212 is best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 to comprise a post
214 extending vertically-upwardly from a post mount 216 which may
be welded or otherwise rigidly secured to a deck.
It will be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 that each of mower decks 90, 92,
94, 96 and 98 have a post 214 extending upwardly from a mounting
216. The connecting means 212 includes, for each post 214, a swivel
sleeve 222 which is formed illustratively to have an internal
diameter defined by an upwardly-opening upper frustoconical portion
224 and a downwardly-opening lower frustoconical portion 226 which
connect together at the vertical center of the sleeve 222 to
provide a central opening 228 just large enough in diameter
slidably to receive the post 214. The illustrative sleeves 222 may
be retained on their respective post, for instance, by the cotter
pins 230 or any other conventional fastening elements. The upper
and lower frustoconical portions 224, 226 permit the sleeve 222 to
swivel relative to the post 214 or permit post 214 to swivel
relative to the sleeve. This limited swivel connection is
established by the unique double frustoconical portions 224, 226,
and the limits on the swivel movement are determined by the angle
of the frustoconical portions. For instance, it may preferably be
advantageous to permit each sleeve 222 and its received post 214 to
move at an angle of 12.degree. which will permit each mower deck
90, 92, 94, 96, 98 to articulate relative to its adjacent mower
deck by an angle of 12.degree.. It has been found that when five
mower decks are placed along the line 116 and pulled forwardly as
indicated by the arrow 14 in FIG. 2, a 12.degree. permitted
articulation will permit the mower decks to move rather comfortably
over very uneven terrain to follow that terrain and cut the grass
very evenly. Since the decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are permitted to
articulate with the transfer belts 180 extending therebetween, the
arrangement of the link means 206 disposed in the spaces provided
by the belt 180 runs and in alignment with the axes of the pulleys
about which the belts are trained will accommodate such
articulation. These link means 206 provide ideal belt-take-up or
tensioning means in the illustrative and preferred embodiment
because each link means is provided with slide and guide portions
232, 234 which function as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. Each portion
232 is welded or otherwise rigidly attached to its associated mower
deck to extend to the left (FIGS. 5 and 6). Each portion 234 is
sleeved over the portion 232 to move thereon. This means that each
swivel sleeve 222 may be adjusted in the direction of the extension
of the portion 232. This adjustment is provided in the illustrative
embodiment by a threaded rod 236 which extends through a bracket
238. Locking nuts 240 are provided on each side of each bracket 238
to position the threaded rod 236. Thus, the belt 180 associated
with each rigid link means 206 may be adjusted or tensioned
properly by adjusting the nuts 240 on the rod 236.
It will also be seen that the central opening 228 of each swivel
sleeve is essentially aligned with the centers of the V-pulleys
172, 174 about which the associated belt 180 is trained. It has
been found that the arrangement thus described works very well,
particularly when the V-pulleys are radially deep and the V-belts
180 are trained deeply in the V-grooves.
Referring to the line 133 shown for the deck 96 in FIGS. 2 and 10,
but applicable to all decks having a post 214, it will be seen that
the line 133 passes generally through the swivel axis defined by
the post. This arrangement permits each deck to move upwardly or
downwardly about the line 133 as permitted by the sleeve 222 on its
post 214. It has been found that this relationship, with the line
133 passing generally through the axis defined by the post 214 or
below the post 214 will permit careful articulation of mower decks,
i.e., allow even terrain following capability and keep the rotary
blades at the appropriate height.
The line 133 generally under the post 214 axis for each deck 90,
92, 94, 96, 98, will prevent reactions that inappropriately lift
other decks. It has been found, for example, that if the line 133
and post 214 arrangement does not exist, movement of deck 98
upwardly or downwardly on the terrain will cause inappropriate
movement and uneven cutting of deck 90, two decks to the right of
deck 98.
While the mower assembly just described is ideally suited for
mowing golf course roughs which have many small hills and valleys
completely covered with grass, it will be appreciated that the
mower assembly may well be used on a wide variety of grass-covered
areas including cemeteries, the yards surrounding businesses, etc.
The unique deck pivots described herein permit the mower assembly
flex joints to swivel in any direction. These simple pivots (swivel
means 212 in FIGS. 7 and 8) are the key to allowing the assembly to
make complex shifts required to roll over any terrain. They also
restrict the amount of flex so that the angle between adjacent
decks stays within the limits of proper belt tension and pulley
angle. The mower assembly of the present invention, therefore,
provides a low-cost, practical drive system comprising V-belts and
V-pulleys which are simple and dependable.
In the cutting by the mower assembly 10, the plurality of small
rotary mower decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 give a far superior cut when
compared, for instance, to multiple blade, fixed-pan, rotary decks.
The assembly of the present invention may have, for instance, 21
inch cut rotary decks such that five or seven rotary decks ganged
together in accordance with the present invention will provide a
very wide cut over very difficult, rolling areas that once required
the use of small push mowers. With the assembly of the present
invention, a single operator can cut as much turf as three to seven
operators with push mowers and get the same quality cut.
In the illustrative and preferred embodiment of the mower assembly
10, these high quality articulating cut features are accomplished
because the pivot point of each mower deck 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 is in
substantial center of the belt 180 driving the blade 194 of the
deck. This belt 180 is kept tight because the belt 180 drive
centers, i.e., the centers of the belts and the pulleys, are
generally aligned with the pivot centers.
By providing the proper belt tension by adjusting the threaded rods
236 relative to the bracket 238 and by providing relatively deep
V-groove pulleys, the belts 180 can be maintained at proper driving
tension to maintain the rotary speed of the blades 194 even when
the mower decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 articulate to the extent
permitted by the swivel joints shown clearly in FIGS. 7 and 8. As
indicated above, it has been determined that a 12.degree.
articulation may well be ideal for mowing most rolling
terrains.
Each of the mower decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 is supported on the
ground at two angularly spaced-apart points, i.e., the front wheel
means 130 and the back rear wheel means 132, while the deck teeters
at a third point on the pivot or swivel centers best shown in FIGS.
7 and 8. The rearward or inwardmost inboard deck 98, is supported
on an extra wheel means 134 as best seen in FIG. 1, but it also
articulates relative to the adjacent deck 96 by the connecting
means 212 (FIGS. 7 and 8). The deck 98 also is positioned and
driven in a forward direction by the arm link means 46 which pivots
relative to the deck 98 as indicated at 110. Similarly, the
forwardmost or outermost outboard deck 94 is driven forwardly and
positioned by the arm link means 42 which is pivotally connected to
the deck as indicated at 108.
The rigid beam structure of the main frame means 12 controls the
position of the central deck 90 with the universal joint means 76
described above such that the central deck 90, the forwardmost deck
94 and the rearwardmost deck 98 are driven and positioned by the
main frame means 12 and the arm link means 42, 46. It will be
appreciated, then, that the intermediate outboard deck 92 and the
intermediate inboard deck 96 are controlled as to position and
moved by their respective adjacent decks. These intermediate decks
92, 96 are permitted to articulate or float within the controlled
limits of the swivel connecting means 212 shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7
and 8.
While the five decks 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will
make a very wide cut, it may be that a wider cut is desired in
accordance with the present invention. The FIG. 9 illustration
shows how seven decks may be ganged together by adding still
another outboard deck 94a and still another inboard deck 98a to the
assembly. In FIG. 9, like reference numerals represent like parts.
It will be seen that the decks 94a and 98a may be connected to
their respective adjacent decks 94, 98 in the same fashion as the
other adjacent decks are connected. In addition, a rigid link 250
may be swivelly connected at each of its ends to the rear wheel
means 132 of decks 94 and 94a to position and control deck 94a.
Similarly, a rigid link 252 may be swivelly connected at each of
its ends to the rear wheel means 132 of decks 98, 98a to position
and control deck 98a.
* * * * *